In this issue

Anna Roth CEO

Greetings from Tahoe Forest Health System!

Dear Community,

As we head into summer in the Sierra, I want to share a few meaningful updates from across Tahoe Forest Health System.

This spring, we continued conversations through our strategic redesign efforts, including recent community focus groups that reinforced themes we are hearing across the region: people want easier access to care, more evening and weekend availability, and virtual options that complement in-person care. These conversations are helping shape the future of healthcare in our mountain communities.

I’m also proud to share that Tahoe Forest Hospital recently earned Level 3 Bronze accreditation as a Geriatric Emergency Department from the American College of Emergency Physicians. This national recognition reflects our commitment to providing specialized care for older adults close to home.

In addition, both Tahoe Forest Hospital and Incline Village Community Hospital achieved elite pediatric readiness designation, recognizing the strength of emergency care for children across our system.

This month also gave us the opportunity to celebrate our incredible team during Nurses Week and National Health System Week. I was especially inspired to see our nurses once again give back to the community through donations to local nonprofit organizations, a reflection of the compassion that defines this health system.

I also hope you will save the date for our Fall Community Forum on September 25. The program will include the Thomas D. Hobday Medical Lectureship with Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal of UC San Francisco, one of the nation’s leading experts in clinical diagnosis. Additional speakers and discussions will explore topics shaping the future of healthcare, including artificial intelligence, prevention, wellness, and other emerging issues impacting our communities.

Thank you for continuing to support local healthcare and help shape the future of care in our region. It is a privilege to serve this community.

Warmly,
Anna M. Roth, RN, MS, MPH
President & CEO

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May Celebrates

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Stroke Awareness Month

Nurses Week
May 6-12

Health System Week
May 10-16

Memorial Day
May 25

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Upcoming Events

May Community Walking Challenge

All month long

Trade mountain views for beach vibes in the May Community Walking Challenge! Hit 10,000 steps a day and “walk” your way across Florida’s beautiful white-sand beaches. Stay active, soak up the sunshine spirit, and earn a chance to win outdoor gear gift cards.

Click here to log in and sign up! Don’t have a Wellworks Account?

  • TFHD Employees Company ID 11727
  • Community Members Company ID 11890

Click on “Challenges” on the left side menu and “Activate” under the May Community Walking Challenge.

For more information, email wellness@tfhd.com

Tahoe Forest Hospital Blood Drive

Friday, June 5, 9 am – 2 pm

Sign up online and be a hero!

While walk-ins are welcome if space allows, we strongly encourage scheduling an appointment in advance. Our schedule often fills up quickly, though occasional cancellations can open up last-minute spots.

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Stroke Awareness: The Signs, Symptoms & What To Do

May is Stroke Awareness Month, a reminder that every second counts when recognizing the signs of stroke.

There are three main types of stroke:

  1. Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all cases. It occurs when a blood clot or other obstruction blocks blood flow to the brain.
  2. Hemorrhagic stroke: This type occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. Common causes include high blood pressure and aneurysms.
  3. Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Often called a”mini-stroke,” a TIA is a temporary period of symptoms similar to a stroke. It doesn’t cause permanent damage but serves as a warning sign for future strokes.

Remember BE FAST

  •  Balance – sudden loss of balance
  •  Eyes – sudden vision changes
  •  Face – facial drooping
  •  Arm – arm weakness
  •  Speech – slurred speech
  •  Time – call 911 immediately

Fast action can save a life and reduce long-term disability. If you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms, don’t wait; seek emergency care right away. At Tahoe Forest Health System, we’re committed to keeping our community informed, prepared, and healthy.

Learn more about stroke prevention and warning signs here or watch the video below from Dr. Abby Young, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Tahoe Forest Health System.

Hi, I’m Dr. Abby Young. I’m an Emergency Physician and the Stroke Adviser at Tahoe Forest Emergency Department, and today we’re going to talk about stroke.

Stroke is an important topic as it is the fifth leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the third leading cause of death for women. Stroke can occur at any age, but we typically do tend to see it in the later decades of life.

There are two different types of stroke. The first type of stroke is ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when there’s a blockage of blood flow to the brain. The blockage of blood flow leads to brain and cell death.

The second type of stroke is called hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when there is a leaking blood vessel in the brain and blood leaks into the brain. Both types of stroke can cause permanent disability and death, so it is important to identify and treat stroke as quickly as possible.

Because early identification of stroke signs and symptoms is so important, we recommend that everyone be aware and use the B.E. F.A.S.T. mnemonic so that you can recognize signs of stroke in yourself, in family, or in other people around you and get help as quickly as possible.

B – Balance or dizziness. If you have any signs of imbalance or acute dizziness, this can be a sign of stroke.
E – Eyes. If you have any loss of vision or change in vision, this can also be a sign of stroke.
F – Face. If you have a facial droop or facial weakness, this can also be a sign of stroke.
A – Arm. Arm or leg weakness or numbness can be a sign of stroke.
S – Speech. If you have garbled speech, slurred speech, or word-finding difficulties, this can also be a sign of stroke.
T – Time, because every minute that we delay in getting stroke care leads to millions of brain cells dying.

We want you to call 911 as soon as possible or present to the closest emergency department.

In ischemic stroke, there are two different types of treatment. The first is a medication called a thrombolytic. The thrombolytic is a medication that can be given in the emergency department and breaks up the clot or the blockage that’s causing the lack of blood flow to the brain.

The second type of treatment for thrombolytic stroke is called a thrombectomy. This is a mechanical procedure where a physician threads a catheter through your vessels and is able to mechanically break up the blockage and restore the blood flow to your brain.

The treatment for hemorrhagic stroke is important to identify the stroke as early as possible so that we can control blood pressure and reverse any medications that may be causing your blood to be too thin. In addition, there are neurosurgical procedures that can be performed to stop the leaking blood vessels in the brain.

For all treatments of stroke, it is very important to rapidly identify the symptoms of stroke and what type of stroke it is so we can get treatment as soon as possible.

I’m Dr. Abby Young, Tahoe Forest Emergency Physician and Stroke Adviser. Thanks for joining me.

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Latest News

Local High School Students Gain Hands-On Healthcare Experience Through Tahoe Forest Health System’s Job Shadow Program

Incline Village Community Hospital and Tahoe Forest Hospital Achieve Elite Pediatric Readiness Status

Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center Receives $500,000 Matching Gift from the Weakley Family Trust

Tahoe Forest Health System Nursing Team Donates $10,000 to Local Nonprofits in Celebration of Nurses Week

Tahoe Forest Health System Receives Performance Recognition on California Maternity Care Honor Roll

Tahoe Forest Hospital Earns National Recognition for Geriatric Emergency Care

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Kind Words

“Gave me the skills needed to be more independent. Seemed well-informed and professional. All of them!”

Home Health

Tahoe Forest Hospital with banner that reads "Accredited. American College of Emergency Physicians. Geriatric Emergency Department

Tahoe Forest Hospital Earns Geriatric Emergency Accreditation

Tahoe Forest Hospital has earned Level 3 (Bronze) Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA), a national distinction recognizing hospitals that provide specialized emergency care tailored to older adults. The GEDA program builds on national guidelines established in 2014 to improve outcomes and enhance the emergency care experience for senior patients.

Accredited departments implement best practices such as:

  • Specialized training for interdisciplinary care teams
  • Screening for conditions like delirium, dementia, and fall risk
  • Access to geriatric-appropriate equipment and supplies
  • Protocols tailored to the needs of older patients

For the Tahoe community, the recognition means local seniors have access to a higher standard of emergency care close to home. As the region’s older adult population continues to grow, the accreditation reinforces Tahoe Forest Health System’s commitment to meeting evolving healthcare needs while helping patients and families navigate emergency situations with greater support, safety, and specialized care.

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Health & Wellness

Core Stabilization & Balance Training

For patients trying to improve their overall balance, core stability, and muscle activation.

  • Strength training in a small group environment
  • Return to sports or activities of daily living
  • Balance training with a focus on proper muscle activation
  • Exercises will complement goals established with your Physical Therapist
  • Affordable and cost-effective

When and location:
Every Wednesday from 12:30-1:30 pm at Incline Village Physical Therapy
333 Village Blvd, Suite 201, Incline Village, NV
Pre-registration required. Click here to sign up for Incline Village class.

Every Friday from 12-1 pm at Tahoe City Physical Therapy
905 North Lake Blvd. Suite C, Second Floor, Tahoe City, CA
Pre-registration required. Click here to sign up for Tahoe City class.

Cost: $20 per person, per class

Community Yoga

Join us for an all-levels practice to build a deeper connection with yourself and your community. Our practice will begin with 30 minutes of gentle flow, followed by grounding restorative poses to finish. No yoga experience is necessary, and all movement will be slowly paced and mindfully sequenced. The intention of this class is to bring the community together for movement and connection.

When: The fourth Friday of each month from 4:15-5:15 pm (subject to change and excludes holidays). Next class is Friday, May 22
Location: Tahoe Forest Wellness, 10833 Donner Pass Rd. Suite 102, Truckee, CA
Cost: $5, scholarships available upon request. Yoga mats provided.
Pre-registration required. Click here to sign up for Truckee class.